Hitch Pin Disease

Do you have it? Do you wish that you had it?

Do you even know what it is?

Hitch Pin Disease:
1.  A slow overwhelming desire developed by the farmer to have one tractor for each piece of machinery, creating a pair, hence seldom having to "un-hitch" and "hitch" implements up to tractors to complete tasks.

This is often an inside joke between us farmers; prodding and giving each other a hard time when we see new pieces of equipment arrive on their farms-now when we get something new, we often don't say anything at all, waiting to see how long it takes the other farmers to notice the piece when they drive by on their  "crop-checking" trips.

I didn't think we had a problem with hitch pin disease. For a long time we had just one tractor, an 806 Gas, that was sold to buy an 806 Diesel. Then we added a 60hp New Holland, to scrape, load bales, rake, etc. Then, Rick's uncle called and said he had a little Ford 2000, and we could have it if we got it running. We did. THEN, the owner of our original 806 Gas tractor called and said he was selling it, would we want to buy it back? It was our first tractor. We bought it.

Over the years we have purchased a loader (for the 806 gas) a discbine (on the diesel tractor), a bale wrapper (loaded by the New Holland), and finally this summer, a rake.

I knew we caught the disease when Rick said "I'm gonna marry that rake to the Ford!" Oh-no!

Its understandable, though.  Having one tractor means you are constantly hitching and un-hitching the equipment that you need: The discbine, the rake, the loader. The discbine, the rake, the loader. Over and over, and over, again.  Some hitches are simple, some are not:

The rake hitch is simple: 1 pin and a hydraulic hose.

The speed rake on the Ford 2000....for life.

Simple bale wagon hitch with a safety clasp on the pick-up.

This little guy LOVES hauling bales!

A more complicated discbine hitch.  2 hydraulic hoses, a P.T.O shaft and draw bar hitch.  Its much more time consuming to hitch and un-hitch this machine.

In the beginning, we did a lot of hitching and un-hitching.  We were just grateful for the one tractor that we did have.  We also made dry hay, which meant there was more time to switch machines while the hay dried down.  Now, with high-moisture bales, we need to move a little faster.  We can also be more efficient, and having somebody mowing down the next field while someone else rakes in front of the custom baler-all at the same time.

 

The next time you drive by your neighborhood farm, take a glance at their equipment.  Is it hooked up to something? Is it always hooked up to that machine?  Just be careful to not look too long. Pretty soon you'll realize that you need a second vehicle.  And it sure would be handy if you had a truck to pull the boat. And one for the camper.  And an ATV for the lawn cart, because you don't like taking it on and off the lawn mower.  Then you'll need a trailer for all of that. And something to pull it.....



 

4-H: "To Make the Best Better"

We just wrapped up the 2013 Clinton County 4-H & Youth Fair.  I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say it's always bittersweet.  As tired as everyone is,  it's a little sad when it's over...  Just ask my oldest son.

I reminded him that it had been 15 years since I have been actively involved in the fair, and yet here I was again. I told him he can be involved for as long as he wants....his lifetime, possibly.  I think that helped...a little.

Our oldest, now a regular 4-Her, did well at the fair this year.  There were no trophies or rosettes, but he did get all "A" rankings on his model, diorama, fudge, and performing arts.

More importantly than that, we learned (and demonstrated) a huge lesson on not giving up, and finishing the job, no matter what.

Clover, the 4-H calf, created quite the spectacle at the fair.  At home our oldest practiced leading him around, setting up his legs (lining his feet up square or staggered, as if showing in the show ring), and holding his head up high.  He practiced almost every day. 

Clover must have been a bit nervous at the fair.  When it came time for novice showmanship, They entered the ring. The first 30 seconds went great.  Then it all went downhill from there. Clover pranced around and jumped...on our son! More than once, he would practically get his front legs on his shoulders. At 442 lbs., he was no longer a little calf, and it took a lot of arm strength to get him under control. Each time Clover would jump, the crowd would gasp, our son would stagger or stumble, and then regain control and continue to show him, staring down the judge, holding the calf's head high, and giving it all he had.  He never quit. Clover jumped and jumped, many times, and our son continued on.  In fact, he made it into the final round of showmanship.

As he  came out of the ring the first time, we consoled  him. We encouraged him. We gave him pep talks.  We told him he had to go in the ring again. The look on his face...

It got worse, and he continued.  I offered him an out. As he passed by me, I told him he could quit.  He said no, and kept going.  At the end of the show, he placed last in the final round, but what he learned and what we learned from him was just as important as winning. The judge pointed out how he never quit.  He said he knew when he first walked into the ring that he was going to be in the final.  When the animal acted up, he never quit. He kept showing Clover the best that he could, until the show was done. The crowd clapped.  We cried.

If all our son learns from 4-H is to never quit until the job is done, even when it's hard, then its been worth it. 

Pictures from the show:

Before Showmanship

Staring that judge down....

Zach, the show ring helper (black sweatshirt), stays close to help out when needed.

Zach, now making the rounds with our son & Clover....

Our second son with a borrowed calf for Cloverbud showmanship

So proud of our boys!

Thanks to all the volunteers this past week.  Your efforts help kids like our boys learn life-long skills and lessons in character, work ethic, integrity, and responsibility, just to name a few.  You make a difference!

-Terri